The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-13
POWDERLY AT BOSTON.
lie Represents More than Any Monarch, and
Is the Only Workingman Extant

BosToN June 1L-General Master Workman
Powderly General Secretary Litchman and A.
A. Carlton, of the general executive board,
knights of Labor, are in the city mass meet
ing with an admission fee of 25 and 80 cents. for
the benefit of the locked-out shoemakers of
Worcester, Brookfeld and Spencer. was held at
Mechanics Hall this evening About $500 per-
sons were present Messrs Carlton ana Litch-
man addressed the assembly at length on the
state of the order and the strike at Worcester,
urging Boston workmen not to let their brethr N
suffer for sinews of war.
Mr.. Powderly. rising, was greeted with a
torrent of enthusiasm, the audience rising and
giving cheer upon cheer. He expressed his
thanks to the audience for its hearty reception.
Referring to Bostons welcome to Queen Kapi-
DIANA he said the city did right 1t also did
right in deciding to welcome him in a royal way,
for although individually he counted no more
than ar other. vet as the head of organiza-
ton tn = IS working to bring the country back
to her original moorings. he represented more
than any monarch on Gods earth. Applause.
In welcoming him the city of Boston welcomes
labor throughout the length and breadth of the
land.
Referring TO the newspaper reports of dssen-
sions in the order, he said that differences did
exist, and always would. so long as men were
men, but that the oroer would survive all differ
ences, and live to accomplish its object.
After dwelling at some length upon the princi-
erful philippe the evils of rum. besought the
workIngmen TO abandon the habit of drinking
rum, aud declared that he wished every member
of the Knights of Labor was compelled to sign a
pledge al preliminary to membership. He de-
died the charge that he had sought to use the
der in the interest of the Catholic Church. He
had explained its principles and workings
high officials of both the Catholic and Protest
ant churches and il he had been in any degree
instrumental in securing tho good will of Rome
he thought he deserved praise rather than blame.
Finally. he said he desired TO say. once for all,
emphaticaly that he was not a candidate for re-
election to the Office of general master workman,
and under circumstances would he accept
re election. He had been misrepresented and
falsely accused and he desired privacy and rest.
He would, however, continue to work in the in
terests of the order even if he was obliged to pay
for the privilege of SO doing
While speaking. Mr.. Powderly suddenly
placed his right hand upon his left breast aud
his countenance assumed expression of in
tense pain A deep quiet pervaded the assem-
bly,. After q moment he said he unable to
continue his address, and sat down. A glass of
water was given him. and a few moments later
ne again arose, expressed his regret at being
obliged to abruptly conclude his remarks
thanked the audience for its kind attention and
sympathy and withdrew
subsequently many of the leading Knights OF
Boston paid their respects to Mr.. Powderly in an
ante-room. 1t is stated that the general master
workman is afflicted with lung difficulty which
Is liable to compel him to cease speaking at any
time when addressing public meeting